Earthquake Media Update 5 – Canterbury District Health Board

23 February 2011

Please attribute to Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive David Meates:

FREE GP CARE UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT

Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs can visit a GP free of charge until tomorrow night. It’s important you phone your own GP first – if they’re not open a nurse will answer the call and direct you to the nearest GP practice that’s open.

If the phones are not working, then visit your nearest after hours medical centre.

The Pegasus 24 hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue is open today, as is the Moorhouse Medical Centre and the Riccarton Clinic and after hours Centre.

VULNERABLE AND OLDER PEOPLE

Over 100 rest home residents are being relocated today. Many are being collected and taken home with family and friends, while others are being transferred to safe alternative accommodation both in Christchurch and outside the region.

Resthome staff are doing an amazing job keeping their residents safe and well looked after despite the trying circumstances.

At times like this it’s important to look out for elderly neighbours and others who live alone.

ELECTIVE SURGERY AND OUTPATIENTS

All elective surgery and outpatient appointments are postponed until Tuesday.

Paediatric clinics are closed for the rest of the week.

Community Oncology there will be no appointments for chemotherapy and radiotherapy until Monday unless patients are individually contacted earlier. All patients will be contacted in due course.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Burwood birthing units are closed today.

Lyndhurst Centre is closed until Monday women will be contacted by a staff member

Rangiora and Lincoln birthing units are open.

Christchurch Women’s Hospital is open.

WELFARE CENTRES

Welfare centres have been set up at Hagley Park and Burnside High School.

Relatives looking for injured family members at Christchurch Hospital should go to the Great Escape Café in the main foyer where a relative centre has been set up and there are social workers and police available.

There is also a Family Liaison Centre being coordinated by Police at the Papanui Police Station

METHADONE PATIENTS

If you are a methadone patient and your usual pharmacy is closed, phone the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) on 335 4350 and they will direct you to the nearest pharmacy.

MEALS ON WHEELS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

Meals on wheels are not available for the rest of the week – if you have elderly neighbours or people who live alone, please check on them and help out if you can with meals and support.

CANTERBURY DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD STAFF

If you are a Canterbury District Health Board staff member and you are able to work, please contact your manager. This goes for all staff from laundry service staff to mental health staff.

“If you are able to come into work, it would be greatly appreciated, as we consider all staff to be essential,” Mr Meates says.

The CDHB will pay for child care if staff need care for their children.

KEY PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES

People need to take the following advice to avoid getting sick with stomach bugs and other illnesses.

Drinking water

People living in Christchurch should assume that tap water is contaminated and unsafe to drink until advised otherwise by Council.

All tap water should be boiled for one minute before drinking, brushing teeth or washing/preparing food.

-Water being boiled in a pot should be boiled for one minute

-Water being boiled in a kettle should be brought to the boil twice.

Councils will be testing water supplies intensively and will advise when the water is safe to use without boiling. Even though water may look clear, it should be treated as contaminated and unsafe to drink due to damaged underground water and sewage pipes. Do not use river water for drinking or washing.

Surface waters

People should avoid contact with sewage. Assume river, sea water and any other surface water is contaminated with sewage. People should stay away and not swim, fish or gather shellfish in the sea, Canterbury rivers or any standing water until notified.

People who have sewage contamination within their homes should be advised to move to alternative accommodation.

Make sure you wear shoes, due to broken glass, debris and sewage leaks.

Toilets

Conserve water if you have it.

People should be advised to flush toilets sparingly.

“If its yellow let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down.”

People who do not have a flushing toilet are advised to make a temporary toilet with a bin lined with two plastic bags. The bin should be covered between uses. The contents can be buried when the bin is no longer needed. Details of how to make a temporary toilet can be found at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/protecting-your-health-in-an-emergency

Hand washing

Frequent hand washing needs to be emphasised. Where people do not have access to water, alcohol gel is a good alternative. Hands do not need to be dried if alcohol gel is used.

Remind people to wash hands, particularly after:

Using the toilet

Before and after preparing food

Handling rubbish or waste

Cleaning toilets, bathrooms

Handling soiled clothing or bed linen

Handling cleaning equipment such as cloths, buckets and mops

Handwashing stops diseases spreading. Cold water is fine as long as soap is used and hands are thoroughly dried.

Dishwashers

Conserve water if you have it

If dishwashers are used a full hot wash with detergent (not economy wash) must be used. Dishes must be allowed to dry fully prior to re-use.

Contact with neighbours/friends

People should be encouraged to look after each other. Advise people to keep in touch with families, friends and neighbours and support each other

PHARMACIES THAT ARE OPEN TODAY

Barrington Health Centre Pharmacy

Barrington Unichem Pharmacy

Bastins Pharmacy

Belfast Pharmacy

Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy

Centre Court Pharmacy

Ewart Douglas Pharmacy

Fendalton Mall Pharmacy

Ferry Road Pharmacy

Halswell Masons Pharmacy

Hei Hei Pharmacy

Hillmorton Pharmacy

Hoon Hay Pharmacy

Ilam Pharmacy

Kaiapoi Crossing Pharmacy

Kendall Pharmacy

King Medicine Management (open for Resthomes only)

Leeston Pharmacy

Lincoln Pharmacy

Linwood Dispensary Limited (Urgent patients only)

Mairehau Pharmacy

North Avon Pharmacy Practice

Oxford Pharmacy

Papanui Pharmacy

Rangiora Pharmacy

Redwood Pharmacy

Stantons Pharmacy

Unichem Ashburton

Wairakei Road Pharmacy

Merivale Medical Centre Pharmacy

Stavely Street Pharmacy

ENDS

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